The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Command, has announced the conviction of eight cyber fraudsters in the state.
On Saturday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that they were convicted by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State.
The prisoners include: Abasiofon Daniel Essien also known as Jason Momoa, Gideon Junior, Edikan Ubong, Harrison Chiemelie, Ndifereke Umoh, Christopher Promise, Effiong Wisdom, and Godswill Nsikan.
The statement noted that they were charged with two distinct counts of criminal impersonation, identity theft, and obtaining by false pretence.
According to the statement, one of the allegations against Essien is:
“That you, Abasiofon Daniel Essien (aka Jason Momoa) sometime in 2023, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession of $300 (Three Hundred US dollars) intentionally, knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: Identity theft and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under the Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
One of Wisdom’s reports said:
“That you, Effiong Wisdom “M” (aka Pamela Randy) sometime in November 2023, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did fraudulently present yourself as Pamela Randy to Michael Moore on the social media platform: Facebook/Instagram with intent to gain advantage for yourself did take possession of the sum of $170 (One Hundred and Seventy United States Dollars) knowing that the money formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act to wit: impersonation thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
When the charges were read to the accused, they all pleaded guilty, and prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud, presented their confessional statements and incriminating contents from their mobile phones to the court as evidence, urging the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The judge convicted and sentenced them to two years in prison each.
The statement further stated:
“Umoh, Promise, Chiemelie and Nsikan were given an option to pay a fine of N2 million each (Two Million Naira). Junior, Essien and Ubong were given N1.5 million (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine, while Wisdom was given N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) option of fine.
“In addition, Essien, Junior, Ubong and Chiemelie are to restitute $100, $300, $170 and N140,000.00 respectively to their victims, while Umoh, Promise, Wisdom and Nsikan will restitute $70, $140, N100,000.00 and Nsikan $50 respectively to their victims.
“The convicts also forfeited their phones which the court described as tools to their crimes to government.”
Also Read:
Court orders final forfeiture of over N12.18bn properties linked to Emefiele
Declare state of emergency on cholera – Reps. minority leader tells FG
Minimum Wage: Pres. Tinubu, Consider NLC’s request – Kenneth Okonkwo
cc: Daily Post Ng
